On Saturday, May 4, 2013, the University of Indianapolis School for Adult Learning graduated 77 students. Each of these students began their college career wondering how this accelerated program would work for them. On graduation day, you could see the sense of accomplishment in their eyes. THEY DID IT! Their hard work and dedication paid off. 

Do you have a goal of earning a college degree? The School for Adult Learning at the University of Indianapolis can help you reach that goal. You need either a high school diploma or GED to begin. You will meet with our Admission Coordinator to learn about the program and be admitted to the University. Then, you will register for classes. A Financial Aid Representative is in the SAL office and ready to help you complete the financial aid paperwork. 

Your first class will be Return to Learning which will help you get started. As you move into the curriculum of your major, you will have help every step along the way. Before you know it, you will be graduating from college. Then, meet with our Career Advisor Robbin Sally to find the job you want.

Contact Chelsea Ward, Admission Coordinator, at wardcb@uindy.edu or 317-781-5762. Read more about our 2013 graduation at http://www.salstudent.uindy.edu/

College is a great time to explore new interests and try different things. What better way to do this, then to take a Spring Term course! Known as a Jan-Term or Flex-Term at other universities, UIndy's Spring Term follows a similar concept: For a short term (usually three weeks), students can take a course that is usually not offered during the rest of the academic year and receive credit for it. UIndy's three-week session typically occurs just as the school year draws to a close, with classes ending in the first week of May, and the Spring Term happening in the remaining three weeks of that month.

Aside from the fact that all UIndy students are expected to take at least one Spring Term course before graduating, here are 5 other reasons to consider this great opportunity:

1. It's tuition free

Worried that spring term will mean paying additional costs for tuition and housing? Don't sweat it! If you were enrolled full-time during both semesters of the academic year, do not have an unpaid balance with the University, and have never enrolled in spring term before, you will not be expected to pay tuition. Travel courses do not charge tuition. Students are only expected to pay the fee that is listed in the course description, which would mostly cover the cost of your flight.

2. Take a fun class not offered during the school year

The Spring Term courses change every year, depending on what the faculty feel like teaching, and of course, student interest. During the traditional academic year, you would not be able to take a class where you can earn academic credit for, eating lunch and watching foreign films, exploring Indianapolis, learning about the Beat Generation, or doing volunteer work in the city.  

3. It's Required

I always tend to tell my admitted students that with Spring Term, you are able to kill two birds with one stone: You get to take a fun class that would otherwise not be available during another part of the year, and you are fulfilling a graduation requirement!

4. Travel Abroad

Our previous blog posts have emphasized that at UIndy, students do their learning inside and outside the classroom. Yet we can't stress this enough, and it is no coincedence that the most popular feature of Spring Term classes is that some of them involve overseas travel or some other out-of-classroom experience. Of course, we would never require students to go abroad if they don't want to, which is why the course list for spring term usually has on-campus courses to take as well. For those who feel adventurous and want to travel abroad during spring term though, this year's more popular travel courses and destinations included: Hiroshima Peace Study (Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan), Castles, Cathedrals, and Coasts (England and Whales), and Comparative Exploration of the Caribbean (Cuba).  

5. Learn something new

So maybe you don't want to travel abroad, or sit in a classroom watching movies all day, but maybe you still want to learn something fun, or want to get in shape. If that's the case, you will be glad to know that there is something for all kinds of interests, such as basic instruction in cycling, learning to paint outdoors, or the art of English Handbell ringing.

 To find more about Spring Term and other courses visit the Office of the Registrar, 2012-2013 Spring Term General Information & Course Descriptions. 

This past Saturday, May 6, 2013, UIndy celebrated its annual Commencement in Nicoson Hall. The chosen speaker for the undergraduate ceremony was PBS broadcaster and author, Tavis Smiley, who offered the graduates an inspiring message to use their educational talents and skills as a way to tackle current issues that the nation is facing. A total of 428 graduate, and 849 undegraduate degrees were awarded.

So what's next for our newly graduated students? Some will venture out into the workplace, while others will start their graduate education. Whichever path they decide to take, we are confident that they will succeed. In a recent survey, 96% of UIndy grads said they felt prepared for their first job out of school, and 89% reported that they were able to find a job or placement into a graduate program within six months of graduating. But don't worry, we're not just making this up. UIndy students don't just learn inside a classroom, many of them gain real-world skills and experience through internships and summer job opportunities. Here are a few examples of what our students have done so far:

Donnie Strack (Class of '02, D.P.T. '05) Has been working as the director of medical services for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008. How did he land his dream job? A strong academic background, and attending school in a city that is big on sports certainly helped, but this UIndy grad would also attribute his success to the numerous opportunities for hands-on training that he received during his undergraduate years in the Athletic Training program. Of course, Donnie had even more opportunities to apply the skills he learned in the classroom as a graduate student at UIndy's Nationally ranked Krannert School of Physical Therapy.

Joey Myles (Class of '09, MBA '10) also took advantage of some great academic programs, internship opportunities, and even got to travel abroad. Now, he works as an auditor for the Department of Defense. Joey studied Accounting during his time at UIndy, and took advantage of the School of Business' Accelerated MBA , which allows students to complete their Bachelor's and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. As part of the preparation students receive in this program, MBA candidates travel to different parts of the world each year to learn how business is done internationally. Joey got the chance to travel to Europe and South America. Like many UIndy students in different academic disciplines, Joey made sure to acquire some internship experience before completing both degrees.

At UIndy, students learn by doing. Many undegraduate and graduate programs encourage and promote local internship opportunities that allow students to put their classroom skills to practice in real-world experiences. The result? many students leave the university having completed at least one internship or work experience before they graduate, a unique characteristic that has proven to be beneficial when seeking that first job after college.

Want to read more about other big opportunities that are out there for a UIndy student? Check out our prospective student magazine, Inside UIndy.

Asking a college graduate how they remember their undergraduate years is like opening up a Pandora's box full of memories. You would be amazed at how many stories they can tell you about, those late night conversations with friends in the dorm, those crazy off campus adventures, or the annual campus traditions that everyone tried to check off their 'college bucket list' before graduating. 

Rarely, will they ever tell you about spending hours locked up in the library before a midterm, pulling an all-nighter to finish writing a big paper, or the most stressful for any student... finals week. No one wants to remember studying for more than one exam because the professors decided to have them on the same day, or feeling completely brain dead after the first test, but forcing yourself to go back to the library and prepare for the next final. 

Univeristy of Indianapolis students are no exception. They will often tell you all about those fond memories of the good times they had in school, but no one likes to talk about, or remember, studying for those exams, or writing that research paper. Thankfully, there are events on campus that not only help students at UIndy get through this stressful week, but will hopefully leave them with slightly more pleasant memories of finals week in college. 

The week before finals, the UIndy Counseling Center sponsors the annual Dog Days event for students. Faculty and staff who own a dog, bring their four-legged friends to campus for students to play with during the lunch hour. Since the university mascot is the greyhound, there is also a Greyhound Rescue group that brings some dogs to the event. In the last three years, Dog Days has also been part of the Counseling Center's Wellness & Relaxation Fair, which includes tables with information about managing stress. During the actual finals week, students always look forward to the annual Midnight Breakfast, where the faculty/staff volunteer to serve them a hot breakfast in the campus dining hall. This year, the students camped outside of the dining hall from as early as 8pm, and were entertained by a live DJ, prize giveaways from the Residence Life staff, and a student-organized flash mob. In the fall semester, students have one additional event to look forward to during the first finals week of the year. Dessert Diversion, which happens on Tuesday of finals week, is an event hosted by the Student Alumni  Association. Students are invited to the Steirwalt Alumni House for desserts from The Cheesecake Factory and the chance to win great prize giveaways. Each student is asked to bring a canned food item, which are then collectively donated to a local food bank of choice.

We all want security for the future, which is why we save for retirement in assets such as IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and pensions. If you are like many people, you have held these assets for a long time and have seen them grow. Because of the way these funds are distributed, most people don’t take the full distribution of their retirement assets during their lifetime. So, the question for many individuals is, “What will I do with my unspent retirement savings?” If you are like most people, you will designate family members as beneficiaries of your retirement accounts. The problem with doing this is that most of your savings may never go to your loved ones.

The problem with giving your unspent retirement savings to your family (other than your surviving spouse) is that the majority of your savings may be taxed. First, the asset will be included in your estate and may be subject to estate tax. In addition, family members receiving your retirement assets will pay tax at their ordinary income rate. In some cases, 50% - 60% of retirement assets could be eaten up in taxes.

Given this potential tax burden, you may want to consider leaving your retirement assets to your favorite charitable organization and give your family members more tax-friendly assets, such as stock and real estate. Unlike your retirement assets, these assets may be received and sold by your family without paying any tax. If you are looking for ways to save on estate tax, your retirement assets actually make a better gift to charity. This is because a charitable organization can receive the entire asset tax-free and make use of it to further its mission.

Perhaps the easiest way to make a gift of your retirement assets through your estate is to designate your favorite charity as a beneficiary. You can also use your retirement assets to make a gift to charity and care for your loved ones by creating a testamentary charitable remainder trust. At your death, the trust will be funded with your unspent retirement assets and begin paying income to your loved ones. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction and you will rest easy knowing that your family and charity are well cared for.

A gift of retirement assets is an easy and smart way to make a substantial gift to charity. For more information about gifts of retirement assets, please visit http://uindy.giftlegacy.com/?pageID=8 or call (317) 788-2071.

Have you thought about completing a college degree, but don't know where or how to begin? The School for Adult Learning (SAL)  at the University of Indianapolis can help. SAL has created a one-stop-shop for adult learners.  Follow these helpful steps and you will have a college degree which will lead to opportunities:

Step 1:  Contact Chelsea Ward, Admissions and Academic Advisor,  at wardcb@uindy.edu or 317-781-5762  to schedule an individual advising session. Chelsea will explain the accelerated degree program for students 24 years of age or older. And, she will go over the Admissions Application with you. Students must have a high school transcript or GED to be admitted.

Step 2:  Complete the Admission Application and provide official transcripts from your high school (GED if applicable), and any colleges you have attended. There is a $20 application fee.

Step 3:  Schedule an appointment to register for classes.

Going back to school is as easy as 1, 2, 3! The SAL advisors are available day or evening hours to assist you. Once you are registered for classes, the SAL Financial Aid Representative will meet with you as you apply for financial aid. Financial aid is available and can cover the cost of tuition and books.

So, don't delay. Classes begin May 6th, June 17th, or August 26th. More information available at http://www.uindy.edu/school-for-adult-learning/sal-apd

Gone are the days when the only college majors with 'practical' and 'marketable' skills were those that lead to pre-professional programs. One thing UIndy Admissions Counselors always emphasize to prospective students is that they should select a major that caters to their interests. Students, keep in mind that virtually any major has practical and vital skills that can be marketable to any employer. In fact, here is one to consider.

The Experience Design (XD) major at the University of Indianapolis is an interdisciplinary program that fuses skills and concepts from different academic fields of study like art, theatre, communications, and business. XD majors research and create fun and interactive experiences for diverse audiences to enjoy. Whether these are virtual or real, themed programs or presentations, they are designed to entertain and engage participants in a way that will also draw meaning from the experience.

Similar to other majors offered at UIndy, students in this program really get the chance to 'learn by doing.' Many XD classes are project-based, allowing students to gain hands-on experience by implementing the concepts and techniques they have learned in the classroom, to real-world programs and events created by them. A Special Topics class, with a different theme every semester, provides a specific focus that guides students during the creative process to determine the type of program  and style of event that is most suitable. Among some of the themed programs created by XD students are those inspired by Heroes & Villains, the 1920's, and Futuristic Worlds. Something new this year, the undergraduate program has recently launched a student-run agency called the Imagination Emporium, that will serve community clients by creating custom programs for them.  

With a degree in Experience Design, students can use their acquired event planning, research, design, and other problem-solving skills to work in a variety of professional settings like museums, or hospitality fields at tourist destinations and resorts.  

If you're interested in learning more about the XD major at UIndy, check out the department wesite:

http://cas-orig.uindy.edu/experience-design/ 

University of Indianapolis second year occupational therapy students Michael Agyemang, Christine Denman, Tyra Schantz, and Kayla Welsh had the rewarding opportunity to work with the staff and residents of the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home during their community fieldwork experience. The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home is a home that offers a warm and comforting environment for individuals who are experiencing homelessness in addition to carrying a diagnosis, which warrants hospice services. This collection of motivated students took on the task of addressing and tackling occupational deprivation in the residents of the home. The students felt the residents at the home needed an avenue to express themselves in a way that allowed for reflection on the joys of their lives. Alongside Abbie Hunt Bryce Home administrator, Renita Johnson, the students created an activity called “Stories in the Sand.” This activity allowed the residents to develop a representation of themselves in the form of various colored sand, rocks, shells and stones; created through the use of their hands. The completed Stories in the Sand artifact was not meant to be a representation for others to see after they had passed, but a presentation of what they wanted to portray to the world while they lived.

Check out the video the MOT students created to share their experience.

Michael Agyemang- “Working with the residents at the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was a great and rewarding experience, they all had such great stories to tell and very interesting lives. It really makes you think about life in a new light.”

Christine Denman- “Working with Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was a wonderful experience. I did not even know that places like that existed so it was very rewarding to get the opportunity to work with the individuals that were living there. These people all have stories to tell and it was great to allow those who participated to share their stories with us. It was very gratifying and hopefully students will continue to have placements there.”

Tyra Schantz- “The Stories in the Sand project was very rewarding and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the residents at the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home. It was such a blessing to play a small role in helping the residents reflect back on their life story and create their individualized Stories in the Sand.”

Kayla Welsh- "The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was very welcoming and receptive. Having the opportunity to hear resident's individual and unique life stories was very enlightening an experience I will never forget."

Many people have acquired appreciated property over time. A great way to use this property is for a charitable gift. When you donate appreciated property to your favor charity, you receive a charitable tax deduction and also benefit from bypassing capital gains tax on that gift property.

But, in addition to supporting your favorite charity, you also may want to increase your income. Two agreements that are popular for this purpose are a gift of appreciated stock for a charitable gift annuity or a gift of real estate into a special trust called a charitable remainder trust. When you transfer appreciated property into a gift plan that pays you income for life, you may receive both a charitable tax deduction and favorable capital gains benefits. Because you receive income, your charitable deduction is for a portion of the value of your property.

A charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust is a very good way to combine a charitable deduction now, income for one or two lives and an eventual significant gift to your favorite charity. For more information about a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, please visit   http://uindy.giftlegacy.com/?pageID=10. You can also contact Dennis Judy by email at judyd@uindy.edu or by phone at (317) 788-2071. 

Well, my first year of OT school is almost complete. I am in the final stretch of projects, presentations and competencies. Next, I get to look forward to all of the lovely finals and lab practicals. I will have to admit that this semester has been quite the balancing act. However, I have been reassured by multiple second years in the program that if I make it past this semester, I will make it through the rest of the program. This semester has taught me the importance of not procrastinating and that time management is essential for graduate school.

Second semester has been full of clinical applications and the building of a foundation for the real world. We have been able to gain a greater understanding of various theories and models that have provided a basis for the field of occupational therapy to understand the client-centered, holistic approach. Looking back a year ago, I can honestly say that my mentality towards graduate education and occupational therapy has changed – but definitely for the better. We have been introduced to interventions, evidenced-based practice techniques, and skills to complete measures of range of motion and manual muscle testing.  

My favorite thing about this semester has been our biomechanics course and the mastering of competency skills. It’s a very hands-on class that allows us to practice measuring range of motion and manual muscles tests on our peers. We are gaining valuable skills that we will use on a regular basis within our profession. It has been thrilling to consider all of the knowledge that we have soaked up within a year. I know that mentally, my brain cannot possibly wait for the summer, but it’s crazy to think about how much we really have learned in a year at UIndy. I can’t wait for what is to come. Soon enough, we get to have Lottery Day, which is when we pick our two 12-week clinical fieldwork rotation sites that begin next summer. We will be occupational therapists before we know it. Time flies when you’re having fun.

Elise Leung, 1^st Year MOT Student

University of Indianapolis

Coming back to classes for a full semester after being on a clinical for 8 weeks was rough, but as I sit in class, I realize how much I still need to learn. In all of our classes we are going in more depth about different diagnoses that we will see in the clinic. 
 

Currently, the musculoskeletal course is focusing on the upper extremity. We have covered the main parts of a physical therapy examination, diagnosis and treatment. The unique part of this class is the outside speakers, therapists and healthcare professionals, who guest lecture and discuss their areas of expertise with us. Our most recent guest was a local surgeon who shared with us his perspective on the management of a recently discussed diagnoses. It was interesting to hear his perspective of a therapist’s role and to hear about the relationship he has with the therapists he trusts.
 

Our neuro class is also covering the main diagnoses we are likely to see in the clinic and a variety of ideas for interventions, remembering each treatment session we create will be patient-specific. This semester, we have a class called Administrative Roles, which sometimes overlaps with our Lifespan class. These classes have taught us about Medicare, Medicaid and the IDEA laws for children. As therapists, we need to understand how these work. I may have some underlying knowledge now of how they work, but mostly, I learned how hard they are to understand.
 

After spending time in the clinic, I feel that I have a better understanding of what I don’t know, and I am able to appreciate the information presented to me in class so that I do know. The more I learn while I’m in class this semester, the more excited I am to begin my second clinical in June and to be able to put the knowledge I have gained so far into practice.
 

Lindsay Houvener, 2nd Year DPT Student

University of Indianapolis

You are invited to an evening that could change your life! 

Join us at the University of Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 9th at 5:30 for an Information Program for the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership and Design. This master's degree can be completed in two years by attending class just one night per week. No GRE or GMAT test is required. Courses meet once a week in the evening and are offered in a blended (online and on site) cohort format. 

Why Strategic Leadership & Design?  A graduate degee in this program offers education and development in the areas that will make a difference in today's world: strategies for problem solving, direction in how to conceptualize goals and communicate them effectively. Graduates of the Master of Strategic Leadership and Design program are prepared to lead their organization to greater effectiveness and success.

Job Outlook: Students graduating from this program can work as project managers, directors, strategic planners, business owners, consultants or sustainability professionals (internal and external) within businesses, nonprofit organizations and communiities.

The April 9th Information NIght will begin at 5:30 in Esch Hall Room 103. To reserve a seat,  email sallyr@uindy.edu or call Robbin Sally  at 317-788-2119.  More information, go to http://www.uindy.edu/sal/strategic-leadership

What do Nursing, Communication, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy all have in common?

They are all among our strongest academic programs at the University of Indianapolis. But what makes these programs so great?

• The School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) includes three years of clinical instruction, during which students receive hands-on experience in local health care facilities
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• Most faculty at the Krannert School of Physical Therapy continue to practice on a part-time basis, allowing students to gain exposure to real-world situations through presentations with live patients.
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• For undergraduate students who are interested in jumpstarting their graduate education, the schools of Physical and Occupational Therapy also offer special programs for early admission.
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UIndy’s Department of Communication also fares well in preparing students for real-world jobs. Majors like Public Relations, Journalism, and Sports Information are each complemented by great opportunities for students to get hands-on training during their undergraduate careers. At UIndy, students have the chance to work for the campus newspaper The Reflector, the campus radio station WICR 88.7 FM, which reaches 22 counties in the state of Indiana, UIndy TV 5, or the student-run public relations agency, Top Dog Communication.

If you are a high school junior, and are interested in learning more about any of these programs, come check out our Spring Preview Days:

Health Professions Preview Day: Monday April 1^st, 2013 8:00a.m.–1p.m. EST

RSVP Now at: http://admissions-orig.uindy.edu/rsvp/fhpd/

Nursing Preview Day:  Wednesday April 3^rd, 2013 10:00a.m. EST

RSVP Now at: http://admissions.uindy.edu/visit/son

Communication Preview Day:  Wednesday, April 3^rd 2013 8:30a.m. EST

RSVP Now at: http://admissions.uindy.edu/rsvp/previewcomm

Each of these events will include academic presentations, tours of the facilities, and opportunities to hear from faculty and current students. Come and learn how our excellent faculty, programs and opportunities can help prepare you to achieve your goals!!

Assistant Professor, William Essman, Ph.D. has been teaching in the School of Sciences at the University of Indianapolis since 1999. Dr. Essman earned his Ph.D. in biological psychology from the University of Michigan. He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychopharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. From 1996 to 1998 he joined the clinical psychology respecialization program at the University of Massachusetts specializing in health psychology and behavioral medicine. He completed his internship in behavioral medicine at the University of Mississippi. His clinical and research interests include behavioral medicine and health psychology, psychopharmacology and behavioral pharmacology, and personality and health. Dr. Essman teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate level courses such as: Biological Bases of Behavior, Health Psychology, Advanced Psychopathology and Special Topics classes in Addictions. 

Away from campus Dr. Essman enjoys golf, photography and reading. In addition, he loves gadgets, especially flashlights, clocks, watches and pens.  If you need a unique gadget or tool for a task, I'm sure Dr. Essman probably has it.   

To learn more about Dr. Essman, the other faculty, or the programs offered by the School of Psychological Science, please visit our web pages. 

Dr. Nicole Taylor is an assistant professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Indianapolis. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toledo in 1999, and has been at UIndy since 2000. Dr. Taylor's clinical and research interests include topics such as coping with illness, training and supervision issues in graduate clinical psychology, women's issues, psychology and primary care, factors related to medical compliance and non-compliance, behavioral health and prevention, psychoeducational assessment, ADHD assessment, and psychotherapy treatment outcome in psychology training clinics. Dr. Taylor teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate level, and covers such courses as Life Span Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Tests and Measurements, Theories of Counseling, Foundation Skills of Psychotherapy, Supervision and Management, Ethics, Professional and Legal Issues, and Clinical Assessment. 

In addition to her busy teaching schedule, Dr. Taylor is the Director of the Psychological Services Center (PSC) at UIndy. The PSC offers comprehensive evaluation and therapy services to individuals, families and organizations, both children and adults. Licensed clinical faculty and advanced graduate students working under their supervision provide services.     

Away from campus Dr. Taylor spends time with her partner and their three young children. They take as many family trips as possible and really enjoy their many trips to Disney World.

To learn more about Dr. Taylor and the other faculty at the University of Indianapolis, visit our web pages. 

 Many friends of charities have benefited from a gift of land or a gift of land with a building or other structure. There are two main benefits for this gift. First, there is a charitable deduction, normally for the fair market value at the time of the gift. Second, if the real estate has appreciated, the gift to a qualified public charity bypasses or avoids the capital gains tax. The combination of a substantial charitable deduction and a bypass of capital gain is an excellent double benefit. Many donors who sell other property or have substantial income will be able to use this charitable deduction to reduce their income taxes.

There are several reasons why you might consider a gift of property. You may have recently sold another property and could use the charitable deduction. If you have commercial or rental real estate, eventually your rental income increases while your depreciation is gradually reduced. With increased rents and reduced depreciation, you may have an income tax problem. Finally, a planned gift such as a gift of real estate substantially benefits UIndy and enables you to meet your philanthropic goals.

For more information about gifts of real estate, please contact Dennis Judy in the Office of University Advancement at (317) 788-2071 or visit http://uindy.giftlegacy.com/?pageID=34

Being a pre-nursing student is harder than I originally thought it would be. When you are visiting colleges, the representatives from the nursing departments all tell you about how challenging and competitive the program is. They aren’t kidding. I was told by current nursing seniors that I would have to be willing to give up Friday nights to study once I got into the program, but I have already had to do this.

The courses that the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) School of Nursing requires their pre-nursing students to take are difficult. When I first came to college, I thought “general ED courses, how hard can it be?” It can be hard. I took anatomy & physiology as a high school science in my senior year. College anatomy is all memorization, so I didn’t find it that hard. Physiology, on the other hand, is the hardest course I have taken so far. You can’t just memorize your way through. In physiology, you really have to understand the process. I think I would be completely overwhelmed if I hadn’t taken physiology in high school.

One of the things I am looking forward to most about getting into clinicals (fingers crossed!), is the camaraderie. Even now, I share classes with the same people, which makes it easier to get to know each other. I can only imagine the bonds formed during clinicals, when you only have 64 class mates. I have always felt welcomed by the UIndy nursing school staff, and I truly hope I get to work closely with them in the near future.

The University of Indianapolis (UIndy) motto is “Education for Service”, and that philosophy has long been integrated into nursing courses and the mission of the School of Nursing. In many ways, we “talk the talk and walk the walk”, as they say. It is heartwarming to see how this concept is carried out in the School of Nursing and the variety of ways we endeavor to “pay it forward” in both personal and group-driven projects.

For example, for the past nine years the second year associate degree nursing students have had a community service project that makes and donates baby blankets to a variety of organizations. Initially the project started with two students looking to perform a community service project as part of a course requirement. Five blankets were made that year.  The idea was so well received that it has been offered each year as a way to fulfill the community service project and provide fun and fellowship to the students after the demands of a very busy and stress-filled semester. In December 2012, over 40 students and a handful of faculty, with a wide range of skills, participated. One hundred thirteen blankets were made in just four short hours! All of the materials were donated by students and faculty. All totaled, it is estimated that over the course of the last nine years, 628 blankets have been gifted to the Julian Center, Angel Wings, Centering Pregnancy and the St. Elizabeth Coleman Center.

Another example is the project that nursing faculty member, Christie Flint, coordinates with the United Christmas Service. Each year for the past five years approximately 40-50 students, faculty, and staff from the School of Nursing, School of Occupational Therapy, and Krannert School of Physical Therapy help. During this time, we’ve raised over $2,500 in gift cards and money, provided over 800 gifts, donated several boxes of food and household items, and have helped over 75 people have a better Christmas.

On a personal level, two of our faculty members serve as great role models to students and staff. In addition to her full-time job as a nursing professor, Dr. Marjorie Porter serves as the Executive Director for the Good Shepherd Community Clinic located in the First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, Indiana. The clinic was started in April 2006 by the health ministry at the church. Funded primarily by the Kendrick Foundation and donations from community groups and individuals, Dr. Porter and several others got the clinic up and running. The clinic is open every Saturday morning and serves uninsured Morgan County adults who are below federal poverty guidelines. Approximately 250 adults are seen each year. The clinic requires a staff of three MDs, one Nurse practitioner, one psychiatrist, one diabetes nurse educator, 12 Registered Nurses, four pharmacists, one social worker, and many lay volunteers to support its mission. 

Dr. Linda Rodebaugh finds time in her busy teaching and clinical schedule to serve on the Planning Board for Camp Healing Tree. She also serves as a group facilitator for the Camp that is held each August. Approximately 70 grieving children and teens attend and share their grief in a safe and nurturing environment. Dr. Rodebaugh also serves as a volunteer facilitator for Caterpillar Kids, a six-week support group for children ages 5-12. Caterpillar Kids is a grief and loss support group offered through St. Francis Hospice.

Our University of Indianapolis masters in educational leadership program, iLEAD, is transforming to include increased opportunities for authentic experiences in school reform.  Students in Cohort XIV began their program of study this fall mentored by current school leaders who advise and de-brief with them on a regular basis.  Each semester, the students complete shadowing experiences and reflective interviews with their mentors.  Field experiences for the principal leadership program are aligned with the coursework.  In EDUC 600, our introductory leadership class, students complete school improvement projects  as well as projects in which they are already involved as teacher leaders in their schools.  EDUC 605 students analyze data to identify learning problems and design research-based interventions.  As the students develop their skills, increasingly their mentors observe them, offering feedback as students lead professional development, work with the school community, and engage in other leadership activities.   During the final two semesters of the program, students serve as interns in their schools and experience the day-to-day responsibilities of building-level leaders.

Our hybrid courses are changing also.  In our professional development class (EDUC 610), students practice leading the professional development process and review case studies in initiating, managing, and sustaining change.  Students create communication and marketing plans for their schools (EDUC 615).  Multiple experiences observing and evaluating teachers are a focus in EDUC 620. 

Simulations, including The Change Game being played by Cohort XI students in the pictures below, provide another source of case study experiences in leading school change.  Additional information about our curriculum is available on the iLEAD website:  http://www.http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/   Our Cohort XV will begin Saturday, May 18th.  Application materials may be accessed online:  http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/Applying_to_iLEAD.php.  Graduate education faculty and our iLEAD administrative assistant are available to talk with you if you call (317) 788-6098.  Learn more about how iLEAD can help you achieve your professional goals in a graduate education program at a university with personal attention, the University of Indianapolis. 

Dr. Tyronn Bell is an Associate Professor at the University of Indianapolis School of Psychological Sciences.  Dr. Bell received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 2003 specializing in counseling psychology.  His research interests include multicultural therapy, ethnic minority mistrust issues, adjustment issues for African American college students attending predominantly white universities, interracial relationships and rehabilitation counseling.  Dr. Bell teaches at the graduate and undergraduate level for the School of Psychological Sciences including classes such as Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Theories and Techniques of Counseling, Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior, Career Development and Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning.  Dr. Bell has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development and is co-chair of the Diversity Affairs Committee for the School of Psychological Sciences. 

Away from campus Dr. Bell enjoys spending time with his family,  His children love to visit campus with him and he can often be seen on campus with one or more of his young children by his side.